Kilwa fishing port ready for operations, 30,000 jobs beckon

LINDI: THE 280bn/- Kilwa Masoko Fishing Port has reached 100 per cent completion, paving the way for about 30,000 jobs and strengthening Tanzania’s ambition to become a regional hub for fish trade and processing.

The milestone was announced recently by the project’s supervising engineer, George Kwandu from the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, during a briefing to the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disability), Mr Deus Sangu, who was inspecting development projects in Lindi Region.

Addressing residents after touring the facility, Mr Sangu described the port as a transformative investment that will create employment opportunities and spur economic growth.

He said the project is expected to generate about 30,000 direct and indirect jobs in fishing, fish processing, transport, logistics and related businesses once it becomes operational.

“The government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan is determined to ensure that the blue economy becomes a key driver of the national economy,” Mr Sangu said.

He urged young people in Lindi Region to prepare themselves to seize employment, entrepreneurship and market opportunities that will emerge from the project.

“The completion of this strategic project presents enormous opportunities for our youths. They should seize these opportunities to improve their livelihoods, while contributing to the country’s economic growth,” he said.

Mr Sangu noted that the fisheries sub-sector currently contributes 2.2 per cent to Tanzania’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), adding that under Vision 2050, the government aims to raise the sector’s contribution to 9.8 per cent through strategic investments in fisheries infrastructure and value addition.

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According to Eng Kwandu, the port will process fish for both domestic and export markets, boosting foreign exchange earnings and strengthening the fisheries value chain.

He said the facility will have the capacity to process 60,000 tonnes of fish products annually, significantly enhancing Tanzania’s ability to tap into the lucrative deep-sea fishing market.

A key component of the project is a fish processing facility designed to empower local fishing communities by increasing fishermen’s daily catch from one kilogramme to 100 kilogrammes, improving productivity and incomes.

Kilwa District Commissioner, Mr Mohamed Nyundo, commended the government for investing in the project, saying it will transform the district’s economy by improving fish handling, processing and marketing while attracting new investments to Lindi Region.

On his side, Kilwa South Member of Parliament (CCM), Hasnain Dewji, said completion of the port has already attracted interest from regional players, with Somalia, Kenya and Mozambique expressing readiness to use the facility.

He said the development will strengthen Tanzania’s position as a regional fisheries and fish trade hub.

Mr Sangu is on a five-day working tour of Lindi Region to inspect government development projects and engage with local communities.